Diversity in Journalism
The growing industry of journalism often opens up a discourse that covers a diverse range of voices. Despite this, diversity and inclusion in journalism primarily remain unexamined.
In order to report for an authentic range of voices and stories, diversity is crucial within newsrooms. Readers set their hearts on digesting content that is applicable to their own lives and identities. Without a good variance in accounts, writing is susceptible to become unappealing to the audience.
Journalism is what grants us deeper insight to a more detailed and accurate painting of how our society operates. The industry must execute its practice of diversity and inclusion to reach out to every reader, not just a certain few. News outlets should be expected to set goals of expanding their reader base that precisely reflects the world and communities they cater to.
The New York Times has released data consisting the percentage of people of color in staffing. The data presents that the amount of people of color in leadership has increased from 17 percent to 23 percent. They emphasize their plan to expand Black and Latino representation in leadership by 50 percent by the year of 2025.
According to Allana Akhtar in an article for Business Insider, “Asian-American women [working for The New York Times] reported feeling ‘invisible and unseen,’ and said they regularly are called the name of different colleagues of the same race.” This serves as an example that lack of diversity can foster an uncomfortable workplace. Journalists may feel as if they are unable to fully integrate and be welcomed at their job.
The pandemic has brought upon added struggles with communication and expression, especially since we shifted to a remote setting. The coronavirus has also prompted several verbal and physical attacks on the AAPI community. Without discussing this in journalism, we will fail our ultimate goal of making journalism inclusive and a safe space for people of color.
A Call to Action
Just like the Call to Action provided by The New York Times. It is imperative to acknowledge and address the current state of diversity and inclusion not just in the workplace, but in journalism as a whole.
The News Leaders Association, a non-profit organization, had issued a survey regarding employment practices at news organizations, following the distress they expressed since few outlets were active to exhibit the diversity within their staffing. As reported by David Bauder in a report for AP News, “‘The group hopes for as much participation from an estimated 5,900 newsrooms across the country as possible but has had fewer than 250 responses’, said Meredith Clark, a Northeastern University professor who is running the survey.”
The vital action that news outlets can do in order to get the conversation of diversity in journalism moving is by actively participating in studies to determine the best route to improve current conditions. From then on, these outlets may start planning long-term for future steps to take regarding an inclusive environment safe enough for people of color.
Keisha de Castro is a current High School Junior in California who writes for online blogs and campaigns. She helps raise awareness for socio-political matters and impacts fellow teens through articles and social media.
